Haddin in doubt for final

Andrew Wu

BRAD HADDIN is in doubt for the Champions League final, and possibly the start of the Test series against South Africa, after injuring his thumb in the Sydney Sixers’ thrilling semi-final victory on Friday.

The veteran wicketkeeper was sent for scans in Johannesburg yesterday morning to find out whether he had sustained any damage after taking an awkward half-volley during the Titans’ innings.

Already considered long odds to unseat Matthew Wade from the Test team, Haddin’s hopes of a recall for the series against South Africa would be dashed should x-rays reveal a fracture.

But such is the 35-year-old’s toughness it would take a serious injury to prevent him from leading the Sixers into Sunday’s final against Highveld Lions at Wanderers.

‘‘I don’t think he’s ever played with fully-functioning hands ever,’’ said Steve O’Keefe. ‘‘If we have to wheel him out there in a wheelbarrow, he’ll play.’’

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In a positive sign for Haddin, he was able to complete his duties behind the stumps after receiving treatment from team physio Patrick Farhart and batted at No.4 in the run chase.

Back-up stumper Peter Nevill would be the red-hot favourite to replace Haddin should the captain be ruled out, while occasional wicketkeeper Ben Rohrer can also don the gloves.

Vice-captain Steve Smith, who led the Sixers to last summer’s Big Bash title, will take over the reins if Haddin is unavailable.

After enjoying a stress-free run early in the tournament, the Sixers were given the fright of their lives in the semis.

But rather than have their confidence dulled by the close shave the Sixers, who have won their past 10 official matches, will enter the final with even more self-belief.

‘‘Everything didn’t go to plan and we still found a way to win,’’ said Pat Cummins.

‘‘Our first four wins we won pretty well so to scrape a win like that shows we can win no matter what happens.’’

His views were echoed by O’Keefe, who secured man-of-the-match honours after backing up his economical four-oer spell with 32 off 21 balls with the bat.

‘‘As Hadds said in our team meeting, it’s all irrelevant now, we know when we’re playing our best cricket we’ll be tough to beat, and that’s the main thing,’’ O’Keefe said.

While the Sixers will head into the decider firm favourites their star-studded attack will need to quickly return to their best after a rare off night in the semi.

Josh Hazlewood was the only Sixers quick to emerge from the Titans’ blitzkrieg with his reputation enhanced after both Mitchell Starc and Cummins received a hammering.

Cummins’s return of 1-51 was the most runs conceded by a Sixers bowler in the franchise’s short history but Richards has no doubt the youngster will bounce back quickly.

Of particular concern for the Sixers’ brains trust will be the final four overs of the Titans’ innings during which they smashed a whopping 72 runs from four overs.

‘‘It’s the first time in the competition we probably didn’t execute the plans as well as we have,’’ Richards said.

‘‘They played really well, that innings in the end was remarkable, no matter what level of cricket you’re playing at.

‘‘That can happen in Twenty20 cricket, you bowl good balls that go for six in this form of the game.

‘‘Good batting on top of not executing plans means serious runs.’’

The Lions will have a vocal home crowd behind them as they seek to claim another major scalp after comfortably beating pre-tournament fancy Delhi in the semi-final on Thursday.

Although the Lions side is largely unknown to Australians, they do boast the tournament’s two leading run-scorers - Gulam Bodi and former South African international Neil McKenzie. Their attack will be led by Victorian Twenty20 gun for hire Dirk Nannes.